I am a long time history buff. Especially when it comes to history of the Western United States.
When reading about Robert LeRoy Parker (Butch Cassidy) and Harry Alonzo Longabaugh (Sundance Kid) and the Wild Bunch; and, numerous fictional western histories describing the gangs hide-out called the Hole In The Wall which is located in north central Wyoming; Shirley and I decided to take a trip with her brother and sister-in -law and see the hide-out for ourselves. Since my wife Shirley was born and grew up in central Wyoming, I am always asking her if she knows where such and such a town is; or if she knows about a ranch, lake, etc.
Parker and Longabaugh along with their gang, the Wild Bunch, performed the longest string of successful train and bank robberies in American history.
So on September 7, 2014, the four of us along with Shirley's sister left Riverton, Wyoming, where Shirley's brother lives, and headed for Kaycee, Wyoming. West of Kaycee is the infamous "Hole-in-the-Wall" Country and outlaw cave. Kaycee was also an important site of the Johnson County War, one of the most significant events in Old West history (see my blog about Johnson County War).
The Hole In The Wall is aptly named. The red wall is in reality a cliff that runs for miles from above Kaycee to the Shoshoni/Casper highway many miles to the south. There are only several places where one can get down the cliffs and onto the valley floor below. The north entrance hear Kaycee, and the Hole In The Wall near the southern end of the wall. The western side of the valley is protected from entrance by the Powder River Canyon and numerous arroyos. The hide-out entrance or Hole In The Wall could be easily protected by several outlaws against many who wished to capture them.
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| Parker |
Parker and Longabaugh along with their gang, the Wild Bunch, performed the longest string of successful train and bank robberies in American history.
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| Longabaugh |
So on September 7, 2014, the four of us along with Shirley's sister left Riverton, Wyoming, where Shirley's brother lives, and headed for Kaycee, Wyoming. West of Kaycee is the infamous "Hole-in-the-Wall" Country and outlaw cave. Kaycee was also an important site of the Johnson County War, one of the most significant events in Old West history (see my blog about Johnson County War).
Kaycee, Wyoming Population 293
The Hole In The Wall is aptly named. The red wall is in reality a cliff that runs for miles from above Kaycee to the Shoshoni/Casper highway many miles to the south. There are only several places where one can get down the cliffs and onto the valley floor below. The north entrance hear Kaycee, and the Hole In The Wall near the southern end of the wall. The western side of the valley is protected from entrance by the Powder River Canyon and numerous arroyos. The hide-out entrance or Hole In The Wall could be easily protected by several outlaws against many who wished to capture them.
Looking Back At The Northern Entrance Through The Red Wall
Miles And Miles Of Cliffs Along The East Side Of The Valley
Gate To The Hole In The Wall Ranch Looking To The South West And The Powder River Canyon.
Notice The Miles Of Grass Prairie And No Sage Brush
View Of The Valley Where The Hole In The Wall Is Located
Notice The Great Maintained BLM Road (LOL)
It was getting late in the afternoon when we got to the gate shown below. We decided that with 9.5 miles of two-track road left to travel and then a 2.5 mile hike to the actual Hole In The Wall; the Bureau of Land Management really didn't want anyone entering the Hole In The Wall any more than Butch and Sundance did.
End Of The Road To The Hole In The Wall But Not Our Adventure.
We Still Had 35 Plus Miles to Waltman (a wide spot on the Shoshini/Casper highway) And Another 70 Plus Miles To Riverton. But All In All A Great Trip
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